Scenario Library

This page features scenarios that can be used by law enforcement training instructors, coordinators, or others to strengthen their de-escalation and crisis response training.

The following scenarios were adapted from publicly available training resources to support scenario-based skill practice in de-escalation and crisis response for law enforcement.

Browse All Scenarios

Use this interactive library to search and filter scenarios by difficulty level and core topic area.

Scenarios in this library presume that law enforcement officers serve as scenario participants. Scenarios do not include exact dialogue for role players but guide how they should respond and act. Difficulty levels were determined using the following definitions:

  • Beginner scenarios are relatively straightforward, with no weapons present. The scenario is typically resolved by the participant using verbal de-escalation skills with a single role player;
  • Intermediate scenarios can include role players with a weapon, or involve multiple role players, but are not overly complex relative to Advanced scenarios. There may be some escalators in the scenario that make it more challenging, or the objective is more complex than in a beginner scenario;
  • Advanced scenarios are more complex, with multiple role players that the training participant will need to interact with and manage, or a scenario that requires significant repositioning and/or ongoing escalations.

SCENARIOS

Agitated Person Standing in Busy Intersection

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Agitated Person Experiencing Delusions at Home

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Person Acting Strangely in a Park

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Distraught Person with a Developmental Disability

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Barricaded Person with Schizophrenia

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Welfare Check at Home of Person with Bipolar Disorder

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Person with a Substance Use Disorder Who is Actively Suicidal

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Missing Youth with Autism and Cerebral Palsy

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Distressed Person with a Knife

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

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